Positive drug test for Armitage

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Marseille - Toulon's England international flanker Steffon Armitage has tested positive for a product on the World Doping Agency's banned list, albeit one which could be construed as having therapeutic qualities, the Rugbyrama website reported on Wednesday.

Rugbyrama, the sports website of French daily Midi Olympique, reported that Armitage is understood to have tested for Doliprane codeine - a simple painkiller, in this case for back pain.

The test came following Toulon June 9 Top 14 final loss to Toulouse at Stade de France.

The product can be taken with written medical authorisation as a therapeutic treatment but in Armitage's case such authorisation was not forthcoming, according to the report, emanating from sources at Midi Olympique whose next edition appears on Friday.

Armitage is provisionally suspended prior to an appearance before the French Rugby Federation's anti-doping commission on August 21, the report added.

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